Mark 16:20

And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with [them], and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.

And {G1161} they {G1565} went forth {G1831}, and preached {G2784} every where {G3837}, the Lord {G2962} working with {G4903} them, and {G2532} confirming {G950} the word {G3056} with {G1223} signs {G4592} following {G1872}. Amen {G281}.

And they went out and proclaimed everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the message by the accompanying signs.

And they went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked through them, confirming His word by the signs that accompanied it.

And they went forth, and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word by the signs that followed. Amen.

Commentary on Mark 16:20 (KJV)

Mark 16:20 concludes the Gospel of Mark's "longer ending" (verses 9-20), portraying the immediate and powerful response of Jesus' disciples to His final instructions. It highlights their obedience in spreading the Gospel and the divine power that accompanied their ministry, validating their message.

Context

This verse follows Jesus' post-resurrection appearances to His disciples and His commission to them to go into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature (Mark 16:15). It serves as a summary of the early church's initial outreach, demonstrating the fulfillment of Jesus' command and the active involvement of the Lord in their mission. Historically, this period marked the foundational spread of Christianity, as the apostles and early believers began to evangelize beyond Jerusalem.

Key Themes

  • Obedience and Global Outreach: The phrase "And they went forth, and preached every where" underscores the disciples' immediate and widespread response to Jesus' Great Commission. It emphasizes the universal nature of the Gospel message and the early church's commitment to evangelism. Their actions laid the groundwork for the global expansion of Christianity.
  • Divine Partnership in Ministry: The crucial phrase "the Lord working with [them]" reveals that the success of their preaching was not solely due to human effort or eloquence. It was a direct result of God's active presence and power empowering their work. This divine partnership is fundamental to effective ministry, reminding believers that they do not serve in their own strength, a truth echoed in Jesus' promise to be with His disciples always (Matthew 28:20).
  • Confirmation by Signs and Wonders: The text states, "and confirming the word with signs following." These "signs" (Greek: semeion) were miraculous manifestations—healings, exorcisms, and other supernatural occurrences—that served as tangible evidence and divine authentication of the spoken Gospel message. They were not for mere spectacle but to validate the truth of the word preached and the authority of those proclaiming it, giving credibility to their mission in the eyes of the hearers (Hebrews 2:4).

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word translated "confirming" is bebaiountos, which means "making firm," "establishing," or "rendering sure." This highlights that the accompanying signs were not random occurrences but purposeful acts of God designed to firmly establish the truth and authority of the preached word. The "signs" (semeion) were not just wonders but indicators or proofs, pointing to the divine origin and power of the Gospel.

Practical Application

Mark 16:20 holds enduring relevance for believers today. It reminds us that:

  1. The Call to Evangelism Persists: The mandate to share the Gospel "every where" remains. Believers are still called to be witnesses to Christ, whether locally or globally.
  2. God's Presence is Promised: True spiritual impact comes from acknowledging and relying on "the Lord working with" us. Our efforts are empowered by His divine presence and enabling grace.
  3. Expectation of Divine Confirmation: While the specific forms of "signs following" may vary across cultures and eras, God continues to confirm His word. This can manifest through transformed lives, spiritual conviction, answers to prayer, or other demonstrations of His power, validating the enduring truth and power of the Gospel.

The "Amen" at the end serves as a powerful affirmation, declaring the absolute truth and certainty of what has been stated—that God's word, preached by His obedient servants, is indeed confirmed by His divine power.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • 1 Corinthians 2:4

    And my speech and my preaching [was] not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power:

  • 1 Corinthians 2:5

    That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.

  • Acts 14:3

    Long time therefore abode they speaking boldly in the Lord, which gave testimony unto the word of his grace, and granted signs and wonders to be done by their hands.

  • Acts 8:4

    ¶ Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word.

  • Acts 8:6

    And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did.

  • Hebrews 2:4

    God also bearing [them] witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will?

  • Romans 15:19

    Through mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God; so that from Jerusalem, and round about unto Illyricum, I have fully preached the gospel of Christ.

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